‘Mayans M.C.’ Interview: Antonio Jaramillo on Season 2, Riz’s Tattoos, and His Co-Stars

By
Rebecca Murray
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FX’s Mayans M.C. returns for a second season on Tuesday, September 3, 2019. Season one of the Sons of Anarchy spinoff created by Kurt Sutter and Elgin James introduced the Mayans M.C. charter, and season two will find the gang out for revenge and setting up new alliances.

The cast of the critically acclaimed drama took part in the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con where the season two trailer debuted and hints were dropped as to what’s in store.

On the red carpet at the Entertainment Weekly Comic-Con Bash, series star Antonio Jaramillo took the time prior to the party to discuss playing Michael ‘Riz’ Ariza. Jaramillo also talked about the appeal of the series and a specific actor he’d love to be able to share scenes with in season two.

What I love about Mayans M.C. is that it’s not just about the action. It’s about the families; it’s about loyalty. What do you love about it?

Antonio Jaramillo: “What you just said. We should put that in a slogan! It’s about family, you know the dynamic of Mr. Olmos dealing with the kids – the two brothers. And then one of them trying to go astray and the other one doesn’t know if he wants to go into the club or lead a different life. It’s really cool. I think it’s really cool. And then you put that together with motorcycles and leather and sexy guys and then you’ve got a show, yeah!”

What did you really dig your teeth into with this character? What do you find is the most interesting aspect of Riz?

Antonio Jaramillo: “You know, it hasn’t been explored just yet but I made my character somewhat religious. All the tats that I have, they are scriptures. Because I wanted to have an inner turmoil, a guy that believes in God, but he has been betrayed by religion like a lot of people have. You know, like the churches.

So, it hasn’t been explored yet, but I hope it is in the future. Because I have a cross on my chest, I have a scripture here, I have another scripture here, and they are all different scriptures. People have to pay attention. I want them to go, ‘Ooh, what is that?’ I want them to look it up so they know what it means because each one has its specific meaning.

I know I have a whole biography of my character and hope that we get seven seasons so that we can explore that more. But for now, they are working on the dynamic of the kids – the brothers – and Mr. Olmos, Felipe, his sons and how that’s going to work out. And then we’ll go into the club a little more and explore all the other characters.”

Mayans M.C. Antonio Jaramillo
Antonio Jaramillo as Michael “Riz” Ariza in ‘Mayans M.C.’ (Photo: Prashant Gupta/FX)

Who would you like Riz to team up with more in season two? You guys really got to work with each other so much in the first season and there’s some really interesting chemistry going on. Who do you hope for more screen time with in season two?

Antonio Jaramillo: “I want to be with Mr. Olmos. I don’t know what dynamic because I’m one of the club members. I don’t know, but I would love to be with Mr. Olmos and explore that. I really want Michael Riz to be with Felipe Reyes and also Coco. You know, Richard Cabral. I want me and him to have something, a disagreement, something. I know I had a disagreement with Clayton Cardenas – Angel – but we got it all worked out. But Mr. Olmos for sure.”

Who doesn’t want to work with him? What can you tease about the upcoming season? What can we look forward to?

Antonio Jaramillo: “It’s going to be a lot more of what you saw in season one. A lot of trouble, a lot of fights, a lot of motorcycles, a lot of leather, a lot of spiciness because you have a 97% Hispanic cast. So, you know, it’s kind of spicy and sexy. More of that.”

A Look Back at Season 1:




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